North Raleigh Today

From Thanksgiving to January, Recycling Materials Recovery Facilities experience a surge in contamination due to the improper recycling of holiday items and increased online shopping. To help ensure responsible waste disposal, here are Santa Stan's Nice and Naughty Lists.

On the Nice List, we have items that can be recycled or composted. First up, cardboard boxes. "Remove tape and break down your cardboard boxes into pieces smaller than 3' x 3' and place them in your blue recycling cart," advises Santa Stan. If the boxes cannot be broken down to the required size, you can recycle them at a Wake County Convenience Center.

Next on the Nice List are Christmas cards. "Recycle paper Christmas cards or reuse them as gift tags for next year," suggests Santa Stan, promoting a sustainable approach.

When it comes to Christmas trees, Santa Stan advises, "Remove all decorations and lights and place your tree at the curb." Starting in January, crews will collect the trees on yard waste days and transport them to the Yard Waste Center, where they will be reused and processed into mulch.

For natural wreaths and garlands, Santa Stan recommends placing them in your yard waste cart. They will be taken to the Yard Waste Center and composted, contributing to the environmental cycle.

Moving on to wrapping paper, if it passes the scrunch test, it can be placed in the recycling cart. However, Santa Stan urges caution with items like wrapping paper tubes, stating, "Just like paper towel tubes, you can place these cardboard tubes in your recycling cart."

Now let's take a look at the Naughty List, which contains items that should not be placed in the recycling bin. Artificial Christmas trees, unfortunately, fall into this category. "Fake trees are not recyclable or compostable," warns Santa Stan. Instead, he suggests scheduling a Bulky Pickup if you need to dispose of your artificial tree.

Another item on the Naughty List is grease. "Please place your excess grease in a sealed clear plastic container with the label: 'grease'," advises Santa Stan. This prevents clogs and overflows, which can harm our environment. Remember, never pour grease or oil down the drain.

Holiday lights also make the Naughty List. Santa Stan explains that when string lights are mistakenly placed in the blue recycling carts, they cause chaos at the Materials Recovery Facility. These "tanglers" get tangled in machinery, causing delays. If your lights are broken and cannot be fixed or reused, it's best to throw them in the garbage.

Plastic bags are another item to avoid recycling. Santa Stan highlights the problems they cause at the Materials Recovery Facility, such as machinery damage and delays. Instead, he suggests throwing plastic bags in the garbage or taking them to a grocery store that recycles them. "Decrease your waste by using reusable bags when grocery and gift shopping," Santa Stan advises.

Ribbon, bows, and string cannot be recycled, but they can be reused. Santa Stan recommends storing them in a box for next year, reducing waste and promoting sustainability.

Styrofoam, also known as polystyrene, is a big no-no for recycling. Santa Stan emphasizes that it is never recyclable and should be disposed of properly.

Tins, such as those used for storing popcorn, cookies, and candy, cannot be recycled in the City of Raleigh. However, Santa Stan encourages their reuse. "Tins can be used as wrapping paper alternatives or to store your ribbons and bows," he suggests.

Lastly, wrapping paper with glitter, foil, or other non-paper additives cannot be recycled. Santa Stan advises either reusing it or throwing it in the garbage.

By following Santa Stan's Nice and Naughty Lists, you can help ensure responsible waste disposal during the holiday season. Remember, recycling and composting the right items can make a significant difference in preserving our environment for future generations.

Click this link to access more information: https://raleighnc.gov/landfill-and-reuse/news/santa-stans-nice-and-naughty-lists